Psychology Schools in Wisconsin
The following guide to psychology schools in Wisconsin, which includes profiles of several undergraduate and graduate psychology programs, is designed to help you decide which program is ideal for your academic and career goals. Wisconsin’s colleges and universities feature a variety of psychology programs, with concentrations ranging from general psychology to clinical psychology. Some universities also offer students the opportunity to earn a bachelor’s or a master’s degree in psychology partially or entirely online.
Quick Facts
- There are 35 not-for-profit colleges and universities with psychology degree programs in Wisconsin.1
- No schools offer an associate’s degree in psychology.1
- 33 schools offer a bachelor’s degree in psychology.1
- 16 schools offer a master’s or advanced degree in psychology.1
- 2 schools ranked in Kiplinger’s Best College Values for 2019.2
- No schools ranked in the Princeton Review’s Great Schools for Psychology Majors for 2018.3
- No schools ranked in PsychologyDegree411’s Top Schools with Online Psychology Programs.4
- 1 school ranked in Times Higher Education’s Best Universities for Psychology 2019.5
For not-for-profit colleges and universities with psychology degree programs.
Top-Ranked Schools with Psychology Programs in Wisconsin
Kiplinger’s Best College Values 2019*
- University of Wisconsin-Madison (#13)
- University of Wisconsin-La Crosse (#64)
*Institution-wide ranking.
Times Higher Education Best Universities for Psychology 2019
- University of Wisconsin-Madison (#20)
Continue reading below to learn more about several of the popular undergraduate and graduate psychology programs offered in Wisconsin.
Schools in Wisconsin with Psychology Programs
Traditional Undergraduate Programs
Marquette University
Marquette University awards the Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Psychology to students who successfully complete the four-year, 128-credit undergraduate program. Psychology majors have the opportunity to tailor their major by choosing electives to match their academic and career goals. However, all psychology majors must complete certain core requirements, including general psychology, psychological measurements and statistics, and research methods and designs in psychology. Psychology students, particularly those who plan to pursue graduate study, are encouraged to seek out research opportunities on campus. Research assistant opportunities are typically available in one of nearly a dozen areas, such as personality development, clinical and child psychology, and help-seeking for emotional disorders.
Carroll University
Carroll University offers students the opportunity to earn a bachelor’s degree in psychology. Students will complete both core psychology and elective psychology courses in such areas as general psychology, developmental psychology, child psychology, health psychology, cognitive psychology, and animal behavior. Psychology majors must also choose a final major project such as a thesis, an internship, a practicum, or an independent research project to fulfill major requirements. Academically eligible students may want to apply for the psychology department’s honors program. Honor students must complete an honors thesis. The Psychology Club on campus, which hosts activities and events throughout the academic year, allows psychology students to network and become involved on campus.
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse (UWL) offers undergraduate students the opportunity to pursue a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Psychology or a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Psychology. Students pursuing either degree take many of the same courses; the key difference between the two programs is that for general electives, BA students take additional language courses while BS students take additional science courses. Students in either degree program may elect to add an At-Risk Child and Youth minor or an emphasis in Gerontology. Psychology majors may also elect to pursue minors from other academic departments to complement their personal interests. A nine-credit Honors program is offered for qualified students to conduct an independent research project under faculty supervision. Students are supported by the dedicated Psychology Advising Center throughout their academic careers and beyond. The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse also maintains a graduate program in school psychology through which completing students earn both the Master of Science in Education and Education Specialist (EdS) degrees.
University of Wisconsin-Madison
The University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW-Madison) is recognized as one of the nation’s best schools. Located on the shore of Lake Mendota, UW-Madison offers a full array of liberal arts studies, student activities, and professional programs. The undergraduate program in psychology at UW-Madison is designed to expose students to the various areas and subfields of scientific psychology, prepare students for professional and graduate programs, and apply the science of psychology to improve the state of Wisconsin, the nation, and the world. At the PhD level, the Department of Psychology at UW-Madison fosters excellence in scholarship and research, providing graduate students with the best available education to prepare them for various professional careers in academic, research, clinical, and other settings.
Traditional Graduate Programs
University of Wisconsin-Stout
Graduate students at the University of Wisconsin-Stout (UW-Stout) may pursue a Master of Science (MS) in Applied Psychology in one of three concentrations: industrial and organizational psychology, health promotion and disease prevention, or evaluation research. The psychology department also allows students to choose a double concentration. The program generally takes two years to complete full-time, although students may attend on a part-time basis. Regardless of the concentration, all psychology students must take such core courses as research design and analysis, applied social psychology, and psychometrics of test construction. UW-Stout students must complete an internship and either a thesis or an independent research study to fulfill degree requirements.
Wisconsin School of Professional Psychology
The Wisconsin School of Professional Psychology (WSPP) based in Milwaukee features a Master of Science (MS) in Clinical Psychology. Students in the program generally move on to the school’s doctoral program, although students not prepared for doctoral study can exit the program with a terminal master’s degree with program approval. The program features small class sizes with classes limited to 15 students, and all required courses are available in the evening. WSPP students may attend full-time or part-time and are encouraged to join the on-campus organization The Association of Professional Psychology Students. Graduate students must complete a practicum to fulfill degree requirements. Assistantships may be available to eligible students.
Online Psychology Programs
Lakeland University
Lakeland University offers an online Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Psychology that is designed as a degree completion program for those who already have earned college credit at Lakeland or other institutions. Critical and creative thinking are emphasized throughout the curriculum, which helps students learn how to understand how organisms adapt to their surroundings. Students are also encouraged to develop their communication and problem-solving skills. In addition to a psychology core, students take courses from four major psychology content areas: brain, body, and mind; clinical; lifespan; and self and others. A further three courses in psychology electives are built into the core curriculum. In total, 120 credit hours are required to earn the degree, which includes 48 credit hours of psychology study.
Ottawa University
Ottawa University is home to an online Bachelor of Arts in Psychology that helps prepare students to provide ethical and effective mental health care in entry-level positions, as well as for graduate study in psychology. Human development in all facets is a focus area of the program, which takes an interdisciplinary approach to the study of psychology. Courses in the psychology major include Psychology of Abnormal Behavior, Social Psychology, and Research Design and Analysis. Students may also complete an optional minor in such areas as biology, healthcare management, human services, and sociology. Students with previous college experience may transfer up to 80 credit hours towards the degree.
EPPP Pass Rate and Accreditation Information for Psychology Programs in Wisconsin
The table below is designed to help you compare not-for-profit psychology schools in Wisconsin on a variety of factors. Clicking on the arrows in the top row allows you to sort the table. In addition to factors such as focus areas offered and tuition costs, accreditation is an important consideration when researching psychology programs. Depending on the type of program and the ultimate career path you are considering, accreditation from the American Psychological Association (APA), the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP), the Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Education Programs (CACREP), or the Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System (PCSAS) can make it easier to become licensed in your desired area of practice. For more information on these accreditations, see our overview of accreditation for psychology programs. You should also ensure that the program you are considering will meet the licensure requirements in the state where you wish to practice. The Examination for Professional Practice of Psychology (EPPP), a licensing exam administered by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB), is required in most US states in order to qualify for psychologist licensure. The EPPP results shown below are provided are for the exam period from February 1, 2015 to March 21, 2017.6 Only results from APA-accredited or ASPPB-designated doctoral programs with at least four test-takers during the exam period are included.6
| School | BA/BS | Grad Prog. | Online Prog. | Nat’l Accred.* | Grad Rate** | EPPP Pass Rate6 | # Taking6 | College Factual Under- grad Rank7 | US News Grad Rank8 | Net Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alverno College | Yes | Yes | No | NASP | 41% | — | — | — | — | $18,284 |
| Beloit College | Yes | No | No | — | 79% | — | — | — | — | $25,980 |
| Cardinal Stritch University | Yes | Yes | No | — | 51% | — | — | — | — | $17,471 |
| Carroll University | Yes | No | No | — | 62% | — | — | — | — | $23,217 |
| Carthage College | Yes | No | No | — | 64% | — | — | — | — | $27,156 |
| Concordia University-Wisconsin | Yes | Yes | Master’s | — | 59% | — | — | — | — | $24,803 |
| Edgewood College | Yes | No | No | — | 63% | — | — | — | — | $26,398 |
| Lakeland University | Yes | No | Bachelor’s | — | 48% | — | — | — | — | $20,668 |
| Lawrence University | Yes | No | No | — | 80% | — | — | — | — | $27,436 |
| Marian University | Yes | No | Bachelor’s | — | 53% | — | — | — | — | $21,175 |
| Marquette University (Counseling PhD) | Yes | Yes | No | APA, CACREP | 85% | 100% | 8 | 233 | 131^ | $33,081 |
| Marquette University (Clinical PhD) | Yes | Yes | No | APA, CACREP | 85% | 93% | 15 | 233 | 131^ | $33,081 |
| Mount Mary University | Yes | Yes | No | CACREP | 51% | — | — | — | — | $17,511 |
| Northland College | Yes | No | No | — | 54% | — | — | — | — | $19,826 |
| Ottawa University-Milwaukee | Yes | Yes | Bachelor’s | — | N/A | — | — | — | — | N/A |
| Ripon College | Yes | No | No | — | 68% | — | — | — | — | $20,893 |
| Saint Norbert College | Yes | No | No | — | 71% | — | — | — | — | $27,002 |
| University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire | Yes | Yes | No | NASP | 67% | — | — | — | — | $13,940 |
| University of Wisconsin-Green Bay | Yes | No | Bachelor’s | — | 52% | — | — | — | — | $12,323 |
| University of Wisconsin-La Crosse | Yes | Yes | No | NASP | 71% | — | — | — | — | $12,419 |
| University of Wisconsin-Madison (Counseling PhD) | Yes | Yes | No | APA, CACREP, NASP | 87% | 82% | 11 | 53 | 13^ | $14,169 |
| University of Wisconsin-Madison (School PhD) | Yes | Yes | No | APA, CACREP, NASP | 87% | 93% | 15 | 53 | 13^ | $14,169 |
| University of Wisconsin-Madison (Clinical PhD) | Yes | Yes | No | APA, CACREP, NASP | 87% | 100% | 8 | 53 | 13^ | $14,169 |
| University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (Counseling PhD) | Yes | Yes | Bachelor’s | APA, NASP | 44% | 44% | 9 | — | 81^ | $14,555 |
| University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (School PhD) | Yes | Yes | Bachelor’s | APA, NASP | 44% | 100% | 6 | — | 81^ | $14,555 |
| University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (Clinical PhD) | Yes | Yes | Bachelor’s | APA, NASP | 44% | 100% | 10 | — | 81^ | $14,555 |
| University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh | Yes | Yes | No | CACREP | 53% | — | — | — | — | $12,819 |
| University of Wisconsin-Parkside | Yes | Yes | No | — | 38% | — | — | — | — | $10,409 |
| University of Wisconsin-Platteville | Yes | No | No | — | 54% | — | — | — | — | $14,158 |
| University of Wisconsin-River Falls | Yes | Yes | No | CACREP, NASP | 57% | — | — | — | — | $15,326 |
| University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point | Yes | No | No | — | 62% | — | — | — | — | $13,599 |
| University of Wisconsin-Stout | Yes | Yes | No | CACREP, NASP | 58% | — | — | — | — | $14,866 |
| University of Wisconsin-Superior | Yes | No | No | — | 36% | — | — | — | — | $12,869 |
| University of Wisconsin-Whitewater | Yes | Yes | No | CACREP, NASP | 58% | — | — | — | — | $12,094 |
| Viterbo University | Yes | Yes | No | CACREP | 62% | — | — | — | — | $20,721 |
| Wisconsin Lutheran College | Yes | No | No | — | 63% | — | — | — | — | $21,773 |
| Wisconsin School of Professional Psychology | No | Yes | No | APA | N/A | 63% | 19 | — | — | N/A |
Schools marked with a caret (^) in US News Best Graduate Psychology Programs ranked in a tie with other programs in their respective positions.
*See our guide to psychology program accreditation for more information on these accrediting bodies.
**The graduation rate is for first-time, full-time undergraduate degree- or certificate-seeking students who began studies in Fall 2012 and is calculated based on the percentage of students earning their degree or certificate within 150% of the normal time for program completion.1
Schools with Psychology Degree Programs in Wisconsin
Note: Student Reviews are based on the experiences of a few individuals and it is unlikely that you will have similar results. Please review the “Data, Student Reviews and Other Information” section in our Terms of Use and Disclaimers.
Carthage College
2001 Alford Park Dr
Kenosha, WI 53140
(262) 551-8500
https://www.carthage.edu/
Student Review: “Overall, I really enjoyed my time at Carthage College. I wasn’t sure of my major when I first attended classes as a transfer student but quickly decided on psychology after meeting some of the faculty. The majority weren’t just lecturers – they actually encouraged us to find an area within the field of psychology that actually interested us. I especially enjoyed experimental psych which explored both human and animal behavior, using reliable scientific methodology. I thought this was quite a change from other schools that I had attended before (boring lectures straight from the text), and they sincerely took part in advising projects that I designed. As a non-traditional student who had kids at home, they were also understanding when I had to leave in a hurry, so long as I completed my work on time (which I did). I’d definitely recommend Carthage to anyone!” – Student at Carthage College
University of Wisconsin
Madison, WI 53706
(608) 263-2400
https://www.wisc.edu/
Student Review: “The undergraduate Psychology program at UW-Madison is very strong in its wealth of opportunities and the variety of classes that are offered to students. The faculty were very approachable and you can immediately tell that they are passionate about the field of Psychology and extremely knowledgeable in the topics that they teach. They are always open to discussing research opportunities and welcome new students to apply to work in their labs. There are so many research opportunities for undergraduates that every student is bound to find a lab that suits their research interests. Furthermore, the Psychology department also offers a variety of career sessions that featured panelists from different divisions within Psychology including I/O Psychology, Counseling, Clinical, Social Work, Rehabilitation and School Psychology. The only aspect I felt the program lacked was communication between the department and students. While there are hundreds of opportunities available, these opportunities were not always advertised to students and were difficult to find. The program also lacks active student organizations that focus on the field of Psychology. While there were several Psychology based student organizations, most of them were not very active, had very few members, and I often did not feel like it was worth my time to attend any of the meetings.” – Student at University of Wisconsin
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Milwaukee, WI 53211
(414) 229-1122
https://uwm.edu/
Student Review: “I absolutely love being a student at UW-Milwaukee! UWM’s psychology program is both challenging and interesting. The course load is designed to make sure that you have a broad knowledge of psychology while still giving you room to focus on an area of specialty or interest. The professors are all very knowledgeable and understanding. Many of them use different learning techniques, so the classroom is never boring. It also helps that the class size is usually below 100 students. Individual assistance is always available, either through your professor or one of the many academic centers on campus. I, personally, love the online psych classes. They give me an opportunity to fulfill credits while staying at home. The online psychopathology course was amazing! I highly recommend it.” – Student at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
References:
1. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
2. Kiplinger’s Best College Values: https://www.kiplinger.com/
3. The Princeton Review. The Best 382 Colleges, 2018 Edition. The Princeton Review, 2017.
4. PsychologyDegree411 Top Schools with Online Psychology Programs: https://www.psychologydegree411.com/degrees/online/
5. Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2019 – Psychology: https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/2019/subject-ranking/psychology
6. The Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards, Psychology Licensing Exam Scores by Doctoral Program: https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.asppb.net/resource/resmgr/eppp_/2017_Doctoral_Report.pdf
7. College Factual, Best Colleges Offering Degrees in Psychology (Nationwide): https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/psychology/rankings/top-ranked/#
8. US News & World Report Best Graduate Psychology Programs: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-humanities-schools/psychology-rankings